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07/17/2005: "Manipur highways open after 9 days July"


Manipur highways open after 9 days July 16, 2005 20:16 IST Rediff.com
Interstate bus services between Manipur and its neighbouring states resumed on Saturday after a gap of nine days. The services had been affected by a blockade and a bandh on the Imphal-Guwahati National Highway 39, sources in the transport offices said. At least four buses with passengers left Imphal for Guwahati in the morning and reports received at noon said the vehicles had crossed Mao Gate on the Manipur-Nagaland border. However, it was not known till noon on Saturday whether buses from Guwahati would leave for Imphal in the evening or not. It would be known once the Guwahati-bound buses entered Assam after crossing Nagaland territory, the sources said.
Hundreds of passengers were still stranded in Guwahati and Imphal and it would take at least three to four days to transport them to their respective destinations, they said. An indefinite economic blockade on National Highway 39 in Senapati district of Manipur was called by the All Naga Students Association, Manipur, from June 22 to protest the Manipur government's decision to declare a holiday on July 18 every year. The Manipur government had decided to declare July 18 a holiday to observe the 'State Integrity Day" in remembrance of those killed in the June 2001 stir when the ceasefire between the Centre and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland - Isak-Muivah was extended to the state. Naga student organisations in Manipur had also called a "lightning agitation and blockade" in Senapati district on July 8, cutting off Manipur from the rest of the country. Since then, passengers in Imphal-bound buses from Assam and other states were stranded at Mao on the Manipur-Nagaland border.
Imphal to protect lifeline OUR CORRESPONDENT
Imphal, July 16: The Manipur cabinet today reviewed security measures along its two national highways and decided to provide security escorts to trucks in order to restore supply of essentials to the state. Manipur chief minister Okram Ibobi Singh has also requested his Nagaland counterpart Neiphiu Rio to provide foolproof security to trucks supplying goods to Manipur. A cabinet minister said supplies would be restored as soon as the government receives a positive response from Nagaland. Supplies have been reduced to a trickle since the All Naga Students Association of Manipur imposed an indefinite economic blockade on June 19, demanding revocation of the government order declaring June 18 as “state integrity day”.
With National Highways 39 and 53 cut off, the cabinet has decided to reopen NH-53, which links Imphal and Silchar, as an alternative supply route from Tuesday. An official source said army and CRPF personnel have been deployed along the road, which passes through the Naga-dominated district of Tamenglong. After the meeting, Ibobi met governor S.S. Sidhu at the Raj Bhavan. He briefed the latter on the prevailing situation and the steps being taken to maintain law and order.
The chief minister also met Lt Gen. Arvind Sharma of the Eastern Command today. Though details are not available, Ibobi is understood to have requested Gen. Sharma to help the government ensure free flow of trucks along the Imphal-Dimapur road and provide security along the Imphal-Silchar road. Gen. Sharma also called on the governor to discuss the security scenario. In the meantime, supporters of the Naga blockade set on fire two loaded trucks at Lairou along NH-39 between Senapati and Mao last night. How the trucks carrying fertiliser and coal reached there is not clear. In another development, inter-state bus services were restored today with the five-day bandh called by a Kuki group, demanding creation of a full-fledged revenue district out of Sadar Hills in Senapati district, ending on Friday at midnight. Haokholet Guite, president of Sadar Hills District Demand Committee, however, warned that they would impose an indefinite bandh on the Imphal-Dimapur road in the next few days if the government did not respond positively to their demands. The problem is likely to be compounded with several Imphal-based transport agencies announcing they would stop operations to protest extortion by militants. In a joint statement, the transporters asked consignees to collect their consignments from the Imphal offices on or before July 22.
Rio slams Ibobi on blockade OUR CORRESPONDENT
Kohima, July 16: Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio today censured the Ibobi Singh government for the ongoing economic blockade by Naga students in Manipur. Rio said that in a secular country which was home to all communities, “if you protect one community, the others will protest.”
The chief minister had spoken to Union home minister Shivraj Patil and Ibobi Singh and said the issue should be resolved amicably. However, Rio put the ball in Singh’s court, saying it was the Manipur government’s duty to review the situation. A “solidarity rally” has been organised by the Dimapur Naga Students Union and Naga Council on Monday, sources said. Rio said his government understood its constitutional obligation of providing security on the national highway and had, therefore, escorted hundreds of trucks to Imphal. An Imphal-bound truck was set ablaze at Zubza around 2 am on Saturday. Police reached the spot just in time. Rio said the spread of the Naga agitation was “unfortunate”. However, he said while protection would be provided, “we cannot provide hundred per cent guarantee”.
He blamed the Manipur government for not heeding Nagaland’s advice not to risk sending a convoy. In another incident this morning, a truck coming from Imphal was damaged by students near Martyr’s Park here. “We will neither allow vehicles moving towards Imphal nor coming from there,” said W.H. Maring, the Naga Students Federation spokesman. NSF leaders held a meeting today and decided to continue the economic blockade. Early this morning, students had a scuffle with a sub-divisional police officer at Zubza.
Army to break 26-day highway blockade in Manipur Sunday July 17 2005 00:00 IST IANS
IMPHAL: The army is expected to launch an operation soon to clear a 26-day-old highway blockade by tribal protestors in Manipur, officials said on Saturday. An army commander said the personnel of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were being detailed for the task to clear the highway blockade enforced by tribal Naga students June 20, preventing trucks carrying essentials, fuel and medicines from entering Manipur.
"The Union Home Ministry on Saturday directed the army to intervene and ensure passage of trucks to Manipur to ease the food crisis," the commander said on condition of anonymity.
"The soldiers will first try and persuade the protestors. Only if that fails will force be used to break the blockade."
Manipur is reeling under an acute food and medicine crisis with the All Naga Students' Association of Manipur enforcing an indefinite economic blockade. All vehicles from the rest of India have to pass through Nagaland and Assam to reach Manipur. The blockade is in support of a demand for unification of all tribal Naga dominated areas in Manipur with 'Greater Nagaland', a concept mooted by the Isak-Muivah faction of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN). The NSCN is a rebel group fighting in Nagaland and currently holding peace talks with New Delhi. The Metei majority community and the state government in Manipur are opposed to the disintegration of their territory. The Manipur government earlier this week sought New Delhi's intervention in breaking the highway blockade after attempts by the local authorities to persuade Naga protestors to call off the strike failed.
"We can now breathe easy with trucks carrying food and other commodities likely to reach the state," said Brajeshwar Singh, a grocer, in Manipur's capital Imphal.

At least half-a-dozen trucks were set ablaze during the blockade for trying to defy the strike call.
Naga protestors, however, said they would put up resistance if army soldiers tried to use force to break the blockade. "Our demand is a genuine one and if required we are prepared to shed blood. We shall see to it that the blockade is on," said P. Angami, a tribal leader.
Centre, 4 NE states to set up joint intelligence sharing mech.
The Centre and four North Eastern states of Assam, Nagaland, Tripura and Meghalaya today decided to set up a joint intelligence sharing mechanism to thwart attempts by major militant groups to join hands and prevent cross-border movement of insurgents in the region. "The first meeting among top police and intelligence officials of the four states will be organised by the Director General of Police (DGP) of Meghalaya. Consequent meetings will be held every three months on a rotational basis by the other state DGPs," Union Home Secretary V K Duggal told reporters after a nearly three-hour meeting of chief secretaries and DGPs of the four states. On the blockade of national highways leading to Manipur by Naga students in the recent past, Duggal said while the blockade has been lifted, Assam and Nagaland Governments assured the Centre that they would provide adequate police protection to truck drivers to ensure essential commodities reached Imphal and the common people were not not affected. The meeting also discussed Tuesday's Supreme Court decision to strike down as unconstituional the controversial Illegal Migrants Act, which the Opposition in Assam had termed as a tool to delay identification and deporation of illegal Bangaldeshi migrants.

Informed sources said the Centre has received reports about polarisation among political parties and groups in Assam following the apex court verdict and that Central agencies were keeping a close watch on the evolving situation in the state.Observing that civilian killings and violence have gone down considerably in the seven North Eastern states this year as compared to the previous year, Duggal said he would hold in about ten days time another meeting of chief secretaries of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram here to review the security scenario there. Replying to questions on the joint intelligence sharing mechanism, the Home Secretary said such a system would help check efforts by militant groups like ULFA in Assam, ATTF in Tripura, NSCN in Nagaland and NDFB of Bodos to join hands. He maintained that while the Centre was working towards achieving political solutions to problems in the North East, the need of the hour was to address issues relating to militancy.

"There are pockets of problems in the region and the efforts are on to sensitise various political and other groups about the fallout of their activities on the common people. The Centre is keeping a watch on them," Duggal said. The Centre, he said, was also working towards peaceful resolution of tensions along Assam-Nagaland borders. "Proper directions are being given to the state governments", he said, adding that the Centre was also maintaining a close vigil on problems between Garo and Khasi tribes.
While Manipur was invited for the high-level meeting, it failed to send its representatives, sources said, adding the Union Home Secretary will be convening another meeting to discuss Manipur's problem in the next ten days. [PTI, courtsey OutlookIndia]
Jamir optimistic younger generation of Nagaland can build a society based on peace, harmony, truth Oken Jeet Sandham – Asian Tribune
Kohima, 15 July, (NEPS): Goa Governor SC Jamir the Governor has exhorted a group of Scouts and Guides from Christian Higher Secondary School, Dimapur who called on him on Fri Day at Raj Bhawan to take back home the positive aspect of the Goan society. The Governor said Goa was one of the most developed States in the country where there was complete peace and communal harmony and urged the young students to learn from Goa. He expressed optimism that the younger generation of Nagaland could build a Naga society based on the bedrock of peace, harmony and truth.Jamir also said the world had become a global village and that students who excelled could go to any part of the world.Commenting on the difference between his time and the present, the Governor reminisced that students of his generation had to walk for two days to reach Kohima, the only examination center at that point of time (1952).
"We had not even seen chairs and tables during our school days," he recalled. "We had no electricity, not even lantern and we had to study in semi darkness in the faint light of oil wickers. But today, you have electricity, good schools and colleges and can even see what is going on in the other parts of the world through television, internet etc."
He urged the group of 31-scouts and guides to concentrate hard on their studies and wished them all a bright and prosperous future. The team presented a sketch by one of the members to the Governor.
- Asian Tribune –

Unite Naga-dominated Manipur with Nagaland: Keishing Onkar Singh in New Delhi |
Thuingaleng Muivah, general secretary of the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagalim, left India for Netherlands on July 4 saying that some positive developments are taking place in the solution to the Nagaland problem. In a sensational disclosure, the North East Sun has exposed the designs of the former chief minister of Manipur Rishang Keishing who wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asking for unionification of the Naga-dominated region of Manipur with Nagaland.
I am happy with the response of the Indian government: Muivah
The letter was written on May 27 -- a week before the NSCN leader left New Delhi after a seven-month stay in the capital. Besides Keishing, the others who signed the letter, include Shri Mani Charanamei, member of Lok Sabha and 11 members of the Manipur Legislative Assembly including Gaikhangam, Francies Ngajokpa, A Aza Shimray, B D Behring, D K Kortngthang, Wungnaoshang Keishing, Danny Shaiza, Henry Paotei, R K Thekho, Samuel Jendai and Z Mangaibou.
"At the outset, we the undersigned democratically elected leaders wish to express our deep appreciation to the government of India for acknowledging the 'unique history and the situation of the Nagas' and the progress of talks in the right direction," Rishang Keishing wrote in the letter addressed to Dr Singh. While extending support to the government of India for its efforts, he noted, "In case of territorial integration of the Naga areas, we believe that it is our sincere question and the basic fundamental right of the Naga people to be under one political entity and live together. We therefore fully support the aspiration of the Naga people for intergration." "The letter of Keishing is bound to create ripples in Manipur politics in next few weeks," said a senior scribe who keeps tabs on the developments in the northeast and particularly in Nagaland. By Indo-Asian News Service
Floods – Ians
Guwahati, July 17 (IANS) Flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy monsoon rains in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh have left at least 12 people dead and up to 125,000 displaced, officials said Sunday. More than 250 villages in six districts of Assam were badly hit by the floods that began a week back.
"At least 12 people were drowned and more than 121,000 villagers were displaced," an official statement said. In neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, the Lohit river has breached its banks and damaged roads besides triggering heavy landslides.
"The districts of Lohit and Anjaw have remained cut off from the rest of the state with floodwaters swamping roads," said an official from the state capital Itanagar. "At least 4,000 people have been left homeless in both districts." In Assam, the mighty Brahmaputra is flowing above the danger level and its tributaries are rising, the Central Water Commission said. Roads linking eastern Assam's Dhemaji district and the rest of the state remained snapped for the past week after vast stretches of the highway were washed away. Waters have touched the 430 sq km Kaziranga National Park, home to the endangered one-horned rhinoceros, but are yet to flood the sanctuary. The Brahmaputra has spilled its banks along Majuli, the world's largest river island, 350 km east of Guwahati. Every year the floods leave a trail of destruction, washing away villages, submerging fields, drowning livestock, besides causing loss of human life and property. Last year at least 200 people died and more than 12 million were displaced.
Naga bodies to hold ‘solidarity’ rally
KOHIMA, July 16 – Several organisations of Nagaland have decided to hold a rally at Dimapur on Monday to “express solidarity” with the ongoing economic blockade by Naga student bodies in Manipur, reports PTI. The ‘solidarity rally’ is being jointly organised by Dimapur Naga Students Union (DNSU), Naga Council Dimapur, Naga Women Hoho-Dimapur and GBs (village chiefs) Association Dimpaur at City Tower junction in support of “integration of all Naga areas”, the organisers said. The decision to extend full support to the blockade spearheaded by the All Naga Students Association, Manipur (ANSAM) and Naga Students Federation (NSF) was taken at a joint meeting of the Dimapur-based Naga organisations at the office of the Naga Council yesterday. NSF announced economic blockade on all routes into Imphal Valley since July 12 demanding integration of all Naga inhabited areas when the ongoing stir in Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong and Chandel districts took a violent turn last week.
Rio assures to provide escorts for Imphal-bound vehicles
KOHIMA, July 16 – Promising escorts on Imphal-bound vehicles inside the State, Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio today said his government could not guarantee hundred per cent security as it had limited forces in view of the onging ecomomic blockade. “As an elected government, we are constitutionally bound to provide security to vehicles plying within the state and accordingly we escorted Imphal-bound vehicles two times,” the Chief Minister told newsmen here today.
According to reports, the Manipur Government last night requested Nagaland to escort vehicles bound for Imphal which were stranded in Nagaland-Assam border area in view of Naga Students Federation (NSF) spearheaded economic blockade on all routes to Imphal valley, including the arterial NH 39 passing through Nagaland. In this connection, the Chief Minister said: “We cannot mobilize sufficient forces at the 11th hour at night to escort goods laden trucks, because we have limited forces in our possession after withdrawal of the IRB Battalion from the state to Chhatisgarh. Moreover, we have to deploy additional forces at trouble-torn Tobu, Noklak in the border areas.”

The Nagaland Chief Minister also urged his Manipur counterpart to resolve the current crisis in that state amicably with the agitating students as the “problem” was their creation to which Nagaland could do not much. When his attention was drawn to reports claiming that Nagas of Nagaland were behind the current crisis in Manipur, Rio refuted the charges asserting that the trouble broke out when the Manipur Government took the decision to declare June 18 as public holiday “without taking into consideration sentiments of all communities. Why are they blaming us now for the problem created by them?”
Last week, several Nagaland-based organizations had resolved to extend full support to the ANSAM-launched non-cooperation agitation in four hills districts of Manipur, which has been on for nearly a month. To intensify the stir in support of Naga integration, NSF imposed economic blockade in Imphal valley since July 12. – PTI
Lup sees red over CM's remarks Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 16 : Taking strong exception against the statement of the Chief Minister on the floor of the House on July 14 that the Government would ban the Apunba Lup, the Working Committee of the Lup yesterday said that if the Government tries to ban the Apunba Lup in any way, then it would be stiffly opposed. Speaking to newsmen yesterday, Co-ordinator of Apunba Lup, L Babloo said that it is a shame that the Chief Minister is grovelling at the feet of some organisations which are openly backed by the NSCN (IM), while on the other hand he is intent on banning an organisation like the Apunba Lup, which is there to work for the interest of the people.
On June 14, the Chief Minister had stated that it was wrong on the part of the Apunba Lup to close down the NCC centre of Manipur and had warned that action will be taken up to ban such an organisation. Reacting to the Chief Minister's statement, Ba-bloo said that accusing the Apunba Lup of closing down the NCC has no basis and is without foundation. The Apunba Lup has ne-ver called for the closure of the NCC, asserted the Co-ordinator. He reminded all that the Apunba Lup had suspended all its agitation just before meeting the Prime Minister last year.
Accusing the CM of being a spineless leader, Ba- bloo said that though the economic blockade impo-sed by ANSAM has begun to take a heavy toll on the people, the SPF Government has not been able to do anything. Likewise it did nothing when the NSCN (IM) said that it would not remain quiet if force is being used to quell the agitation of ANSAM. It is a shame that while the Government has not been able to arrest even one single leader of ANSAM in connection with the economic blockade, the Go- vernment is threatening to ban the Apunba Lup which is a civil society, said Babloo.
If the Government tries to ban the Apunba Lup in any manner then it (Govt) should be ready to face the ire of the people of Manipur, added the Co-ordinator.
UCM sticks to Jun 18 declaration Sangai Express
IMPHAL, Jul 16 : Stiffening its stand, the United Committee Manipur today said that revoking the June 18 declaration as State Integrity Day and State holiday will not be acceptable under any circums- tances. In a statement, UCM said that a meeting of the constituent units of the Committee and others was held today and five resolutions were adopted.
The resolutions included unitedly fighting all forces which try to severe the ties that bind the people together, condemn the economic blockade and the attempt to bring in narrow outlook in the demand raised against the Government, reaffirm the stand of UCM to oppose any decision to revoke the June 18 declaration, to urge the State Government and Centre to redress the woes of the people arising out of the economic blockade and to open National Highway-53 at the earliest and condemn the MLAs and MPs who appended their signature on the memorandum endorsing the formation of a Greater Nagaland.
Sadar Hills imbroglio Sangai Express
Without a doubt Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh has his hands full of problems and the alarming point is there just do not seem to be any tangible solution in sight. The indefinite economic blockade imposed by the All Naga Students' Association has assumed a larger proportion with the Naga Students' Federation jumping into the fray and directing the agitation in Nagaland. What has made the situation all that more complex is the demand raised by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee and the bandh imposed in Sadar Hills from midnight of July 11 till midnight of July 15. In other words, this means that the SPF Government has to deal not only with the problem of the economic blockade on the highways but also the agitation spearheaded by the SHDDC. The SHDDC has already made it clear that the bandh in Sadar Hills is just the first phase of the agitation and more will follow, which translates into more intense agitation. In which direction the intensified or second phase of the agitation will take is anybody's guess, but it cannot be for the good of the Government and the public of Manipur. We will come to the validity of the demands raised by the SHDDC later but for the moment, it should be acknowledged by one and all that the cup of woes of the common people is running over with not even a remote sign that there is a Government in place. The only time the Government makes its presence felt is when some of our high and mighty Ministers and MLAs decide to make life hell for the commuters and the people, by cutting off the route so that they along with their siren blazing vehicles and escort party may pass by without any disturbances.
The future is anything but bright. However before things take an even more ugly turn, the Government ought to apply its mind on how to resolve the Sadar Hills issue. As we understand it, the demand to upgrade Sadar Hills to the status of a full fledged revenue district dates back as far as 1972, the year Manipur attained Statehood. After this numerous resolutions were adopted to grant district status to Sadar Hills by successive Governments but somehow at the last minute or so, this plan has always been shelved. If we remember correctly, Sadar Hills was to have been upgraded to a district at the same time when Imphal was bifurcated into Imphal East and West sometime in 1997, during the time of W Nipamacha. There have been many contentious claims over the demand to upgrade Sadar Hills to the status of a revenue district, but come to think of it, the question of granting the status of a district to any place should be made on the basis of administrative convenience and not along any community or ethnic consideration. If converting Sadar Hills to a full fledged district makes administrative sense then there is no reason why it should not be done. However if such a proposal can pose administrative bottlenecks, then the same may be rejected. The stand of the Government should be clear on this. Districts should be created along administrative considerations and any voice supporting it or opposing it should be on this basis and not along any other factor.
Hill stir continues to smoulder Sangai Express By Our Staff Reporter
IMPHAL, Jul 16 : In unrelated incidents yesterday suspected blockade supporter burnt two trucks at Senapati district while a non-Manipuri was bludgeoned to death by two men at near Kalibari Mandir last evening. Out of the two vehicles torched in Senapati district one bearing registration No MN01/5244 was torched at Lairou area. Even though the coal-loaded truck was set on fire yesterday night, the remains of the vehicle was smouldering till today morning, said a source.
The other vehicle (MN06/0094) carrying fertilizers was also reduced to cinders by suspected blockade supporters near the Peren junction in Maram sub-division. In another gory incident, a non-Manipuri identified as Rajinder sahu (40) was clubbed to death by two persons who reportedly whisked Sahu away from his rented room located at Khoyathong at around 6 pm.
According to police source, Sahu, who worked as a sweeper was beaten to death by Balu (26) a resident of Mahabali and Basanta (40) currently living at Namdulung. Both the assaulters, said to be drunk at the time of committing the murder, and hailing from Bihar state, have been arrested by City police personnel. Rajinder's body has been handed over to family members after post mortem at RIMS today. At Jiribam sub-division area a labourer identified as Md Jabir Ahmed alias Abdul Hussain (35) of Lalpani village was electrocuted while travelling atop a truck to transport bamboo from Bongkot village. The incident occurred on July 14 morning at near Laltingkhal village located about 20 kilometre south-east of Jiribam police station.
Meanwhile, both the corpses recovered from Hangun area under Mayang Imphal police station on July 14 night have been handed over to respective family members after post mortem at RIMS morgue today identification and medical procedures at RIMS morgue today. Identities of the two bearing bullet-shot wounds had been established as Khaidem Peter (26) of Uripok Khaidem Leikai and Konsam Amujao alias Ajoy (27) of Thangmeiband Lourung Purel Leikai. Both the victims are said to be close friends. According to family source, Amujao is a mason and left behind three daughters with the wife six months pregnant. Amujao is informed to have left home on July 10 morning alone. On the other hand, Peter had lost both parents and use to eke out living as professional photographer. Family source recalled of Amujao arriving at Peter's residence on a rickshaw the same morning and both leaving together. post mortem on two other bodies recovered from Ishok area on July 12 have also been conducted today and subsequently handed over to respective family members. the victims, who were both shot dead, are Ongnam Arunkumar (22) of Singjamei Wangma Kshetri Leikai and Laishram Saphaba alias Thoiba of Tangjeng Awang Leikai.
AR ‘rally’ draws flak from rights body Addie Chiphang Sangai Express
Ukhrul, Jul 16 : The Naga People's Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), Ukhrul has outrightly condemned the 13th Assam Rifles who conducted a Vehicle Rally in Ukhrul town on July 16 carrying banners reading "You are warned not to do any unlawful activity otherwise the security forces will be compelled to use force to take action".
In a hurriedly convened press conference after the AR vehicle rally representatives of the rights body questioned who provoked the AR and wanted to know the motive and rationality of the rally.
They observed that such conduct of showcasing military might to the civilians and virtual intimidation is uncalled for. The foremost basic duty of the armed forces is to protect the country so as to safeguard the life and properties of the citizens. Carrying out such rally without rhyme or reason or provocation ignoring the civil administration with an intend on terrorising the people suppress peoples’ aspirations clearly depict their inner motives and how much they rely upon brute force, charged the rights organisation. In a democratic country the purpose of security force is to assist civil administrations contrary to which latter could be construed as relegated to mere onlookers of armed forces' conduct with the ultimate victims being the general public, contended the body.
It further added that time has come to ponder seriously over the ill treatments being meted to the Nagas since the inception of Manipur state no matter which political party was in power.
The brutality of security personnel gauged from the incident on July 9 in which MR personnel fired upon the strikers causing injuries to three of them. Normally, in quelling mob or protestors, the police force assigned may resort to tear-gassing or firing rubber bullets or at critical juncture may blank-fire in the air just to disperse or control the crowd, the representative maintained.
The District administration has so far not taken any preventive measure against excesses committed by personnel of 6th MR, Ukhrul, it charged and added that practical and pragmatic realities have compelled the Nagas for an alternative arrangement and this is bound to happen.
It further added that no matter how mighty the adversaries may be, the Naga peoples’ aspirations can never be cowed down. The Ukhrul human rights body while appealing to the public to remain calm nevertheless called for alertness and be prepared to face any eventualities.
Centre delaying peace process: ULFA
The outlawed United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) today passed the buck on to the Centre for delaying the peace process. In his editorial to the latest issue of the outfit’s mouthpiece, Freedom, which was released to the media today, ULFA chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa alleges that while they have been prompt in replying to the Government’s missives, New Delhi has been dragging its foot on the issue. Rajkhowa says that while the ULFA responded to National Security Advisor M.K. Narayanan’s letter within a week, the Government took nearly four months to respond to their proposal. ‘‘The exchange of letters (from the Government’s side) has slowed down the process of talks. Recently, there has been no reaction from the Government,’’ says Rajkhowa.
He also reiterates that the ULFA would agree to talk only if the dialogue centres around the vexed issue of sovereignty and 10 of its top leaders are released as a goodwill gesture. Several top ULFA leaders, including vice-chairman Pradip Gogoi, central publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary and ideologue Bhimkanta Buragohain are currently lodged in different jails of the state.
‘‘We have clearly appealed to the Government of India to release the 10 senior arrested leaders of the executive council of the ULFA as a prelude to talks with the Indian Government. This has been stated in the second formal letter addressed to the Indian Prime Minister as part of the ongoing contacts between the two sides to resolve the Indo-Asom political conflict through dialogue,’’ the editorial states. Meanwhile, in another statement, ULFA’s self-styled commander-in-chief Paresh Barua has said that there was no reason for the people of Assam to feel euphoric about the Supreme Court ruling on the IMDT Act. ‘‘There is no reason to be elated. The striking down of the Act does not necessarily mean that the foreigners would now leave Assam. The foreigners’ issue of Assam can only be solved after its sovereignty is restored,’’ says Barua.
Checking ULFA NEW DELHI: With security agencies warning of an imminent ULFA regroup, the Home Ministry today set up a mechanism to share intelligence among the north-eastern states. The senior police officials would meet at regular intervals to share intelligence about movement of militants across the state boundaries. This was decided at a meeting to review the security of North-eastern states chaired by Home Secretary V.K. Duggal. The first meeting would be hosted by DGP Manipur in Shillong. —ENS


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